Astrophysicists Saw the First Molecule of the Universe

Astrophysicists have proved the presence in space of molecular ions HeH + (helium hydride). According to the Big Bang theory, this compound was the first bound state of atoms in the Universe. Observations are published in the journal Nature.

Eva Lund

Eva's main passions in life are astrophysics, quantum mechanics, and walking her cat Bop on a sunny Sunday morning.

Although in 1925, scientists in the laboratory proved that such molecules exist, they have not yet been able to detect in space.

This molecule was first recorded in the planetary nebula NGC 7027 at a distance of about 3,000 light-years from Earth using spectroscopic observations in the terahertz range. The connection was formed in the modern Universe and is not a relic of the Big Bang.

When the temperature of the young Universe dropped below 3700 ° C, the electrons began to combine with the fading protons and alpha particles, forming the first atoms. Due to the high ionization potentials, helium ions He2 + and He + were the first to combine with free electrons, the Indicator explains.